Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming film, The Odyssey, has sparked controversy due to its choice of filming location in the contested Western Saharan city of Dakhla. The project, adapting Homer’s classic epic and starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, began production earlier this year and is drawing criticism for perceived whitewashing and implicit support of Moroccan colonial occupation.
The Odyssey, Nolan’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed Oppenheimer (2023), features a star-studded cast including Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway. Set for release in 2026, the film portrays Odysseus’s arduous journey home after the Trojan War and has quickly become one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Why Filming in Western Sahara Is Controversial
The city of Dakhla, where parts of The Odyssey were shot, lies within Western Sahara, a territory long disputed and currently occupied by Morocco since the 1970s. The region is classified by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory and is recognized as the last African colony yet to gain full independence. Historically, Spain controlled Western Sahara before withdrawing in 1976, after which Morocco annexed the area.
Locals and human rights organizations highlight severe ongoing issues in Western Sahara, including allegations of repression against the Sahrawi people—the indigenous population—by Moroccan forces. The Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara) organizers condemned Nolan’s filming decision, emphasizing the harsh conditions faced by the Sahrawi, calling Dakhla
“an occupied, militarised city whose indigenous Sahrawi population is subject to brutal repression by occupying Moroccan forces.”
María Carrión, director of FiSahara, detailed the problematic nature of Nolan’s filming location choice:
“By filming part of The Odyssey in an occupied territory billed as a ‘news black hole’ by Reporters without Borders, Nolan and his team, perhaps unknowingly and unwillingly, are contributing to the repression of the Sahrawi people by Morocco, and to the Moroccan regime’s efforts to normalise its occupation of Western Sahara.
“We are sure that were they to understand the full implications of filming such a high-profile film in a territory whose indigenous peoples are unable to make their own films about their stories under occupation, Nolan and his team would be horrified.” —María Carrión, Director of FiSahara
International human rights entities have raised concerns about Western Sahara’s current situation. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has been unable to access the region for over a decade but continues to receive reports of human rights abuses such as intimidation, surveillance, and discrimination targeting Sahrawi individuals, especially those advocating for self-determination. Additionally, Reporters Without Borders has accused Moroccan authorities of torturing, arresting, and persecuting Sahrawi journalists.
Despite these persistent allegations, Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara has gained the diplomatic support of countries including the UK, the U.S., France, Spain, and Portugal. Nevertheless, Nolan’s choice to film there has been viewed by critics as implicitly endorsing Morocco’s contested occupation.
The Broader Context of Western Sahara’s Struggle
Western Sahara is internationally recognized as a territory with an unresolved sovereignty dispute. Once a Spanish colony, it has remained in a state of limbo after Spain’s 1976 withdrawal, leading to Morocco’s annexation and subsequent conflict. As a result, the Sahrawi people have faced decades of conflict and limited opportunities to represent their own narratives in media or film.
This lack of representation is particularly acute in cinema, where the region‘s indigenous storytellers are largely silenced under occupation. Filming a high-profile project like The Odyssey in this setting, critics argue, risks overshadowing these realities, further marginalizing the Sahrawi voices and contributing to a form of cultural erasure.
The Cast and Scale of The Odyssey
The Odyssey boasts a cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, depicting the legendary hero’s perilous voyage back home from the Trojan War. Joining Damon are celebrated actors Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron, enhancing the film’s profile as one of 2026’s major cinematic events.
The movie’s production embraces Nolan’s signature preference for real locations and practical effects, with filming also taking place in Morocco, Scotland, and Greece. With a budget reportedly around $250 million, Nolan is clearly dedicated to creating a visually immersive experience following the success of his previous works, including Oppenheimer, which earned $975 million globally and received a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Potential Impact on Nolan’s The Odyssey
Although Nolan’s film has already generated significant excitement, with IMAX tickets selling out well in advance, the backlash over filming in Western Sahara introduces an uneasy tension around the project. While it remains uncertain if the controversy will materially impact the film’s commercial performance, it casts a shadow over Nolan’s reputation and raises questions about the ethical considerations of filming in conflict-affected regions.
As of now, Nolan and his team have not publicly addressed the criticism, but the growing unease among human rights advocates and some audiences suggests that a response could be forthcoming. The controversy highlights the risks filmmakers face when choosing politically sensitive or contested locations, underscoring the complex relationship between art, politics, and ethical responsibility.
The Odyssey’s association with the Western Sahara dispute not only reflects ongoing frustrations related to colonialism and cultural representation but also serves as a reminder of the broader, unresolved conflicts that persist in global cinema’s shadow.
